Yeah! 
It is a Dairy Queen night. A time to fellowship with good friends. 
The Blizzards are not too bad either!

I am so enjoying being able to participate in http://www.lookville.com/ and giving my opinion of all the fashion trends.  Visit us!

Christians

I just received an email stating that 86% of Americans are Christian and encouraging Christians to stand up for keeping God in our country via the pledge ofallegiance, In God We Trust on our coins, prayer in our schools and school events and all the other ways that OUR government is trying to cater to the non believers by removing God from out country.

As Christians we have prayed for peace, for love, for understanding, for acceptance and yet what we fail to realize is that Christians have been fighting throughout the ages for the right to worship and not become slaves to believers of other religions.  Yes, I said fighting - not turning the other cheek.  We all wish for and pray for peace and harmony throughout the world, but that is not happening.  There comes a time when we must be prepared to fight for our beliefs. 

Am I a radical?  Goodness no, but I am willing to give my life so that the Christian belief and way of life can survive. 

Until next time . . .

Happy Reading!
Belle

God's World

We didn't have any measurable rain for 5 weeks.  A mist once when a large cloud passed to our south, but that only made us hunger for something more substantial.  And finally on Sunday, God sent a blessing with more than 3 inches of cleansing rain and then again this afternoon a good shower!

That is what is meant by God's time.  Sometimes we know what we need, we just need to be patient and wait.  God provides in his own time.  Sometimes we think we know what we need, but God knows what our future holds and he provides what we need when we need it.  We are suppose to turn our lives over to Him and trust Him to handle our problems, needs, and desires, but we are such a demanding people.  We don't have time to wait.  Like small children, we want what we want when we want it.  Patience is the one thing I continually pray for in my life.  I need to wait for God and know he will lead me in the direction he wants me to go.


The air is much cooler after the rain this afternoon and I am hoping that tomorrow I can get back to the yard work and the many things I have neglected in my outside world.  I have been so anxious for the cooler temperatures, but know by the end of the year I will once again be anticipating the warm sun on my face and the ability to spend hours outside without being bundled up.

Until next time  . . .
Happy Reading!
Belle

I Hated It

I really hated it!  Not the writing, it was fine, but the story was horrible.  It made me hurt and I normally do not read books that hurt my heart. 

"My Sister's Keeper" written by Jodi Picoult is the book.  It is the first I have read of Picoult's works and if this is indicative of her story lines, it will be the last.  The book was left for me by my daughter who with a look of consternation on her face said you really need to read this, but I need to tell you it will touch you.  I should have known.  She knows me so well.  I waited a few days to pick it up. 

First let me say this, I don't like to read books about children being killed or being really sick.  I love kids and I am soft hearted where they are concerned.  I have put many a book aside and never picked it back up when the first chapter contained the death or fatal sickness of a child.  Okay, I may be a wimp, but that is me.

Back to the book.  Picoult covers all the emotions of the members of a family in which a child has an aggressive form of leukemia and she doesn't stop there.  Picoult delves into the emotions of others who become involved with this family and so she tells her tale.  Revealing the strengths and weaknesses of all involved, she weaves her tale in such a way you can't put the book down, but you don't want to go forward.  So complex with issues that have no decent resolution, the story keeps you riveted. 

Not for the soft hearted, but a good read that makes you delve into moral and ethical issues most of us never have to experience. 

Until next time . . .

Happy Reading!
Belle

Praying hard this morning that God will guard my mouth!

Praying hard this morning that God will guard my mouth!

Interesting Site

A friend I share recipes among other things with found this site today when looking for a recipe for canned peanuts.
Check it out and if you have a recipe for the canned peanuts let me know.

http://www.hungrybrowser.com/phaedrus/archives.htm

Colors of the month - dark yellow, light brown, bright rust

The road of life is one big adventure. 
We never know what is around the next bend.

Hint:  For a really tender flavorful meat, marinade in plain yogurt 8-12 hours before cooking.  Works wonders as a tenderizer and brings out the flavor in the meat!  Thanks to my son-in-law for this hint.

I may be slow, but I get there!

I am getting old and grumpy!  About time!

Catch up

Enjoyed a quick but joy filled visit with my daughter, my son, my nephew and their families.  The babies are growing so fast these days and I am blessed to get to see them frequently to watch the changes that are taking place.  There is no bigger changes than the first few months after "regular" or "real" school  starts and they are exposed to the magic of learning and the meeting of new people.  The exposure to the way others live and learn is a great part of the learning process. 

Our small town enjoyed an annual festival this weekend of which I chose not to attend.  It is still a little on the warm side for me to be out with thousands of pushing and shoving people all trying to avoid the heat and still the wonderful creations that might be new to this years event.  Once in a while a new vendor will show up with something new and different and really cause a stir, but over the years we see the return of those we have seen many times before.  I do miss the basket weavers that create their wares as we stand and watch.  I could watch them for hours. 

This week, and yes I know I am behind, I will dig up the hostas and divide them and hope I get enough crowns to have a beautiful grouping next spring.  I have to move 9 crowns that are getting way too much sun and place them in a shaded area.  The sun blistered most of them until they looked horrible  in mid summer, but I should have known better than to expose them to full sun.  They will have more shade next year and hopefully be as full and beautiful all summer as they were this spring.

Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Seasons

Goodness gracious, my body gets so confused this time of year!  The days start off cool and comfortable with slight breezes blowing through, then wham!  the temperatures rise to the mid 90s with air thick with humidity.  Fall is on the way, I have to adjust, and in just a couple of months I will be dreaming of warm weather once again!  So is life!

Cooking On My Mind

The cooler mornings stirs my craving to start a pot of soup and something to take care of my sweet tooth.  Some delicious Broccoli and Cheese or flavorful Potato Soup would really be yummy.  I have promised Dad for two weeks a pot of vegetable soup and that would work wonders also.  The smell of onions, celery and garlic in a rich chicken broth gets the saliva flowing and comforts the mind and body.  

I discussed with my nephew this week - he is a great Paula Dean fan -  possibilities for our Thanksgiving Dinner.  He is a wonderful cook and always surprises us with his delicious creations.  I thought I might need to give him a heads up so he could start planning which dishes he would like to bring.  I know, we still have two and half months to go, but I told you these cool mornings get me going.  I can already taste the cranberry salad with the cream cheese and pecans just flowing over my taste buds and bringing a smile to my face.

I think I will bake more bread this year also.  It isn't good for the waistline, but it is a sure stress reliever and makes me happy.  There is nothing better than a good sweetbread fresh from the bread machine.  Yes, I cheat!  That machine can bring forth the same delectable aromas and the wonderful taste as my mixing and kneading ever thought about and in much less time. 

I haven't checked the pecan trees this year, but I am hoping that we have a decent crop.  Some toasted pecans drizzled with butter would be real good about now, but the time is not too far away.  The squirrels not only raped my corn feeders this year but also took every pear off three trees and got most of the plums to boot.  Anything with a seed was fair game this year for those little varmints and I intend on getting some back in the form of squirrel dumplings in the not too distant future.  They are nice and plump after a summer filled with eating. 

Well, I think it is time to start the potato soup so I will leave you with your thoughts for now.  Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Thank you!  The last few weekends have been spent with treasured friends and family.  We have enjoyed a wonderful summer together and created memories to be cherished.  Thank you for taking the time to share with me. 

Cobbler

I have the taste for some peach cobbler!  Easy to make

One stick of butter (melt in a glass baking dish in the microwave)
One cup of sugar, one cup of flour, one cup of milk - stir together well until smooth
Pour three to four cups of fruit into melted butter, add milk/flour/sugar batter - do not stir
Bake in 375 - 400 degree oven for about 45 minutes or until golden brown. Yummy!

What A Hoot!

My sister and I were raised by my Dad as his "boys" - no joke!  There is so much to do on the farm and not the first chore at our house was labeled "male" or "female", they were all just chores and had to be done.  I say that to say this. 

I received a phone call from my Dad this morning.  He ask what I was doing and I told him I was doing some writing.  Then he ask what I had on.  Well, then I hesitated, and asked for a repeat.  Well, he just chuckled and told me to put on some old clothes and come over.  Nope, not on your life!  I ask "Why?" .  Well, I need you to take the tire off Mama's van so I can plug it.  I told him to hold on I would be there in a little bit.  Nope - wasn't gonna happen!  I am no longer his "boy" and at 59 years of age, this old lady don't do tires. 

Last summer he suckered me into coming over to hold a light for him and I ended up under the lawn mower!  I just can't do that stuff anymore, but he doesn't understand cause I am still 26 years younger than he is and he would do it himself if he could just get down there so he could reach it.  We sure have let him down! 

Until next time . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Labor Day Weekend

The end of so much and the beginning of much more.  This is the last holiday of the summer season.  Will you be dove hunting on Saturday or trying to get in a final swim for this season, a quick weekend trip or a start on your fall camping early? 

Kids are coming off the mountain for the weekend and spend some time with Nanna.  I am looking forward to seeing them again before their holy days start and trek off to their feast site.  It has really hit home how little time one has when little ones are in school and have a strict schedule to which they must adhere.  I guess it has been a few years and I had forgotten how little time there is between getting off work and time for bed. 

My grandchildren have a play room at our house.  I try to enter this room about every two weeks - it can be a danger zone.  The kids are not destructive, just very creative and the girls favorite game is dress up.  We are big on passing down clothing and it seems the playroom is the central depository for the clothes in transition.  Three weeks ago I trekked upstairs to straighten the playroon to find that something was blocking the door.  Not knowing what was holding the door, I cracked it a little and ran my hand along the edge to see what was wedged behind it, only to find clothes, clothes and more clothes!  Clothes covered every inch of the floor and the beds, but their "stage" (an old trunk I found at an estate sale) was clean as a whistle.  There were a few building blocks and baby dolls under the bed, but these girls had every stitch of hand-me-down clothing scattered all over the room. 

The fashion show that they can grace us with is astounding and brings me much joy.  Already at their young ages you can see their style and taste in each outfit they put together.  They can entertain themselves (and us) for hours and they have so much fun!

Hubby has plans to fill the smoker up with good eats and we plan to enjoy family and friends for the weekend.  I hope all of you have a safe and happy holiday!  I am already planning for Thanksgiving and another big get together!

Until next time  . . .

Happy reading!
Belle

Sixty Years

Today is my parents anniversary, their sixtieth anniversay!  That is a long time to live with someone - anyone.  I salute them for sticking it out!  It was not always fun and games.  There were good times and bad, sickness and health, poor times and times of plenty.  They kept their vows and remained steadfast to their life partner. 

Happy anniversary Mom and Dad!